Back to Daming to be a genius

Chapter 196 Backstabbing
(PS: There are two changes today, the first one will be delivered, and the double monthly pass will be delivered on the last day. Friends still have leftovers, so please donate to Pure Wolf.)
With the support of information provided by Dongchang, Young Master Zhang led a group in plain clothes, and soon found the Niutiao Hutong where the eight major locust merchants lived. However, after wandering back and forth, Young Master Zhang was inevitably disappointed—— The house where the Eight Locust Merchants lived was extremely closely guarded, and it was almost impossible to sneak in or sneak in.In desperation, Young Master Zhang had no choice but to give up on this idea, and called a few soldiers who were from the tenants of his family, and told them: "From now on, keep an eye on this house day and night, and find that there are servants who are alone Come out, and tie him up to see me if he has the chance, but don't disturb the people in the house."

"Don't worry, young master." Several soldiers agreed in a low voice.Young Master Zhang knows that each of the eight locust merchants is more treacherous than the other, and it may only depend on luck to catch a useful tongue. He led Zhang Shitou and other soldiers back home listlessly.Along the way, Young Master Zhang was always frowning and extremely hesitant. He was really not sure whether he should go all out and take the risk of offending Wei Zhongxian to attack these eight traitors. If you dare to do this, you will definitely turn against Young Master Zhang!After all, Wei Zhongxian was a famous money-greedy eunuch in history.

"Or? I'll go to discuss it with Zhang Weixian?" Young Master Zhang suddenly thought of Zhang Weixian, the only Supreme Duke of Ming Dynasty who Wei Zhongxian had to pay for in the court, and pondered in his heart: "Zhang Weixian is not afraid of offending old eunuch Wei, and old eunuch Wei dare not treat him Let me do it, if I can drag him into the water and let him come forward to deal with those eight traitorous locust merchants, the old eunuch Wei will never dare to stop him! But the problem is that Zhang Weixian is only a nobleman with a good family background and has no power in his hands. He will deal with those eight traitors. As a traitor locust merchant, he must first convince the emperor to agree. Even if the emperor agrees, the officials below and the old eunuch Wei will not cooperate with him fully. I am afraid it will be useless. Besides, I have no direct evidence in my hand, so how can I persuade him? Old slippery Zhang Weixian? And let Zhang Weixian persuade the emperor who is extremely fond of the old eunuch Wei?"

After hesitating for a long time, Young Master Zhang finally gave up his plan to find Zhang Weixian. Now that the situation in the capital is gloomy, Young Master Zhang is very suspicious that someone with a heart will follow him, and he hopes that Zhang Weixian has little hope of getting rid of the traitorous locust merchants in Zhangjiakou. There is no need to take this risk.Thinking of this, Young Master Zhang subconsciously stopped on his way to the street where Zhang Weixian's mansion is located, turned his horse's head and prepared to go home, while Zhang Shitou next to him asked suspiciously: "Master, I'm going to Miss Qingyun's house soon. Why don't you go again? We've been back to the capital for ten days, but you haven't visited Miss Mei once."

After being reminded by Zhang Shitou, Young Master Zhang suddenly remembered the delicate girl who was once infatuated with him, and hurriedly asked Zhang Shitou: "Shitou, do you still have those things with you?" Zhang Shitou patted his back He smiled and said, "I'm taking it. In addition to the silver tickets and ginseng used for the young master's activities, there are also two sets of jewelry and a bag of golden melon seeds. The young master can use them to curry favor with Miss Mei."——As we all know, Young master Zhang is not only good at being an official but also a man, and his soldiers and attendants always carry bank notes and gifts to please his colleagues, as well as jewelry to please his colleagues' wives, so he is well prepared.

"Very good, let's go." Young Master Zhang was overjoyed, and hurriedly led a group of personal soldiers to attack the British government.Who knew that Mei Qingyun was not in the mansion at the moment when she asked at the entrance of the British government's mansion, but accompanied Zhang Weixian's wife to the Baiyun Temple in the suburbs of Beijing to offer incense. Master Zhang had no choice but to hand over a set of jewelry to her. The housekeeper of the Zhang family asked him to hand over the gift to Mei Qingyun. The housekeeper thanked Mei Qingyun after receiving the gift and reward, and then asked with a smile: "Zhang Tanhua, our father-in-law has already returned from the imperial court. Let me tell you, little one?"

"This, there's no need for it." Young Master Zhang hesitated for a while, and finally chose not to see Zhang Weixian.Unexpectedly, Zhang Weixian's loud laughter came from the yard before the words were finished, "Haha, Zhang Dafutai is going to be promoted again, and his position is becoming more and more important. Of course, he is reluctant to put down his airs to see the old man." Said Seeing this, Zhang Weixian had already appeared in front of Young Master Zhang with his back behind his back.

"Mr. Zhang, you're going to beat me to death." Young Master Zhang saluted Zhang Weixian with a wry smile, and explained: "My visit to your mansion this time is mainly because I want to meet the Duke's daughter. I have no other business, so I dare not Please don’t misunderstand the Duke.”

"Don't Zhang Tanhua want to greet the old man without official business? Anyway, the old man is also someone who almost became your uncle." Zhang Weixian stroked his beard and smiled, and made an invitation gesture to Young Master Zhang. Young Master Zhang had no choice but to follow along Then Zhang Weixian entered the gate.

Zhang Weixian led Young Master Zhang into the back flower hall where the last private conversation was held, and after asking the servants to serve tea for Young Master Zhang, Zhang Weixian drove away the other people in the room, and then asked with a smile: "Tan Hua Lang, I heard you recently I've been preoccupied for a few days, what happened to make Zhang Tanhua, who is known as the God of War of Ming Dynasty, so frown?"

"Huh? Zhang Guogong, how do you know?" Young Master Zhang was a little surprised.Zhang Weixian didn't hide anything, and replied with a smile: "It was the little girl Qingyun who told the old man, Tanhualang, you are busy with business and don't have time to visit my little girl, but my little girl went to visit you a few times, so I found out that you seem to have something on your mind."

Young Master Zhang suddenly felt a warm feeling in his heart, and he felt more and more that he was not a thing, and he was so wrong with Mei Qingyun.Over there, Zhang Weixian took a look at Young Master Zhang, and asked tentatively: "Tanhua Lang, what is it that bothers you so much, do you want me to refer to you for you?"

Young Master Zhang hesitated for a while, but still shook his head and said: "No need, it's just some trivial matters, I don't dare to worry about Zhang Guogong." Zhang Weixian knew that what Young Master Zhang said was definitely not the truth, but he didn't force it, just smiled and asked: " Tanhualang, it has been about ten days since you returned from the Tatar Grassland triumphantly, has your new position been settled yet? What kind of reward is the imperial court going to give Tanhualang, have you heard anything about it, Tanhualang?"

"Not yet, still waiting for news." Young Master Zhang continued to deny it.Zhang Weixian made some calculations and said with a smile: "Jiuqiansu's [-]th birthday is approaching. I think Jiuqiansu wants to keep Tanhualang in the capital, and arrange a new position for Tanhualang after his birthday. But Tanhualang you Don't worry, according to the old man's estimation, Tanhualang, you have made such a great contribution to the court and Nine Thousand Years this time, you can't escape the position of a governor, and it will definitely be no problem to be named an earl - the only thing that makes Tanhualang a headache, I’m afraid it’s the governor who chose some place? Haha, hahahaha…”

"Hehe, if I really let me choose, that would be easy." Young Master Zhang muttered casually with a wry smile.Unexpectedly, Zhang Weixian, who was nearly sixty years old, was still able to see and hear. He immediately heard the murmur of Young Master Zhang and the dissatisfaction in his tone. ?”

"No..., nothing." Eldest Young Master Zhang quickly denied it, and said with a forced smile, "I'm talking about other things, which have nothing to do with my position. Please don't get me wrong, Duke."

"What's the matter?" Zhang Weixian was not convinced, put away his smile and said seriously to Young Master Zhang: "Master Zhang, if you really have something on your mind, you must tell this old man. Anyway, after all, this old man eats a lot more than you After ten years of salt, there are still a few people who listen to what you say in the court. If you really have any difficulties, you can tell the old man. You are the minister of the Ming court, and the old man does not want to see any accidents happen to you."

"Zhang Guogong, I really have nothing to do." The more Zhang Weixian said that, the less Master Zhang wanted to tell Zhang Weixian about his affairs - this matter involved the conflict between Master Zhang and Wei Zhongxian, and Master Zhang was also afraid of Zhang Weixian, a hardcore royalist. The Party made a big fuss about it.After biting the bullet and explaining a few words, Young Master Zhang didn't dare to wait for long, so he quickly offered to leave, and Zhang Weixian didn't force it.It's just that after Young Master Zhang left, Zhang Weixian just made some calculations, and immediately called a few confidant servants and asked them to go out to inquire about the news. He also notified Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Guoji by the way, asking them to get active and use the resources and channels in their hands. Inquire about the new position of Young Master Zhang.

………………

The royalist party's activity energy was also quite high. In the evening, Young Master Zhang plotted to publicize the accurate news that the post of Governor-General had not been obtained, and he was sent to Zhang Weixian and Zhu Chunchen's die-hard royalists.After figuring out the ins and outs of this matter, Zhang Weixian was very puzzled, and asked Zhu Chunchen who had heard the news: "Is this news accurate? With Wei Zhongxian's love for Zhang Haogu, and Zhang Haogu's contribution, Zhang Haogu thought How could Wei Zhongxian refuse to accept any official position? Besides, the position of Xuanda Governor needs to block the Tatars in the north and guard against the rebels in the west. I also think Zhang Haogu is the most suitable for this position. Wei Zhongxian is also good at employing people. How can you not see this?"

"The news is absolutely accurate." Zhu Chunchen replied in a deep voice, "The news came from Wei Zhongxian's nephew, Wei Liangqing. He joined us secretly again, and this time Zhou Yingqiu took out the news from Wei Liangqing on the wine table for us. Promise, and tell Wei Liangqing to leave this matter alone, so the news will never be false."

"Strange?" Zhang Weixian became more and more confused the more he listened, and said in doubt: "Zhang Haogu wants to announce the position of governor, just ask Wei Zhongxian directly, why do you want to follow Wei Zhongxian's nephew? Could it be that Zhang Haogu has already Tried Wei Zhongxian, but was rejected?"

"I also can't figure this out." Zhu Chunchen was also confused, wondering: "With Zhang Haogu's prestige, once his banner is planted in Xuanda, the Tatar tribes on the north side of the Xuanda Great Wall will have to flee. , to ensure the peace of Xuanda Great Wall and save countless military salaries, with the cunning of the old eunuch Wei, how could he not see this?" Over there Zhang Guoji was also scratching his hair, also puzzled.

"Perhaps, this is an opportunity." Zhang Weixian turned his head very quickly, and after a little consideration, he said in a deep voice: "Why didn't the old eunuch Wei let Zhang Haogu be the governor of Xuanda? We can slowly inquire about this. But I think , This is a good opportunity for Zhang Haogu to completely break with the old eunuch Wei! Although Zhang Haogu is very inclined to us in the dark, but his relationship with the old eunuch Wei is too close, there is no guarantee that he will not completely fall for us in the future. Wei Zhongxian is not good for our Ming Dynasty, we can use this opportunity to break up Wei Zhongxian and Zhang Haogu father and son, let Zhang Haogu completely stand by our side!"

"It's a good idea, and I've been worrying about it." Zhu Chunchen nodded and said, "Wei Zhongxian treats Zhang Haogu like his own son, and Zhang Haogu's affairs with Wei Zhongxian are almost like his own father. In order to keep Wei Zhongxian, he even did not hesitate to attack the emperor's younger brother! No If we create a little trouble between father and son, Zhang Haogu cannot be completely relied on, and we have to guard against Zhang Haogu turning against us at any time and betraying us!"

"What Zhang Guogong means is that since Zhang Haogu wants to be the governor of Xuanda, and Wei Zhongxian doesn't want Zhang Haogu to be the governor of Xuanda—then we will support Zhang Haogu as the governor of Xuanda!" Zhang Guoji came to his senses and said happily : "In this way, if Zhang Haogu is grateful to us and doesn't say anything, Wei Zhongxian will also have doubts about it, causing their father and son to turn against each other."

"No, this method is too straightforward." Zhang Weixian shook his head, and said darkly: "First, we can't help Zhang Haogu to the position of governor of Xuanda; second, Zhang Haogu is also a good person. Supporting him to succeed Xuanda, I am afraid it will backfire and let him see our intentions and hate us. Therefore, we support Zhang Haogu to succeed Xuanda, we can only act in secret, and we must let Zhang Haogu not know that we are To support him, we have to let Wei Zhongxian know that we are supporting Zhang Haogu as Governor-General of Xuanda, so that Zhang Haogu will be suspicious and alienated."

"Then what should we do specifically?" Zhu Chunchen and Zhang Guoji asked together.Zhang Weixian smirked, and said slowly: "It's very simple. We just need to tell Feng Quan quietly that Zhang Haogu came to us and asked us and the empress to help him and support him in the court and in the harem to take over as Xuanzong." The position of the Great Governor is enough. Feng Quan and Zhang Haogu are deadly enemies. Using this matter will definitely make a big fuss in front of Wei Zhongxian and provoke the father-son relationship between Wei Zhongxian and Zhang Haogu. At the same time, he will never leak this news to Zhang Haogu. So old."

…………

To Zhang Weixian's surprise, when he gave Feng Quan the sharp knife that could stab Young Master Zhang, Feng Quan was overjoyed and did not immediately go to Wei Zhongxian to stab Young Master Zhang's knife, but first Taking this knife, he ran to Niuti Alley, and first leaked the news that Young Master Zhang was coveting the position of Governor Xuanda to the eight traitor locust merchants in Zhangjiakou.Hearing this news, the faces of the eight major locust merchants in Zhangjiakou turned pale with fright, and hurriedly took out a lot of banknotes to thank Feng Quan, and begged Feng Quan repeatedly to prevent the plague god, Young Master Zhang, from taking up the post in Xuanda, lest Cut off everyone's money.

"What the hell have you done? Are you so afraid that Zhang Haogu will take office at Xuanda University?" While happily counting the banknotes presented by the eight major locust merchants, Feng Quan also asked knowingly, "Zhang Haogu will take office. Governor Xuanda is not bad for you. At the very least, with him in Xuanda, the Tatar cavalry outside the pass will not dare to attack your goods, will they? Ha ha."

"Master Feng, don't make such a joke." Wang Dengku said with a mournful face: "Who doesn't know that Zhang Haogu is notoriously ruthless. He confiscated five companies under the pretext of inspecting and smuggling. If he took office in Xuanda, the border markets of Zhangjiakou and Datong, which are far more lively than those of Gubeikou and Xifengkou, would be unlucky for many businesses. Besides, food He was also the one who first set up the salt trading standard system in Jimen, so he can't do it again when he comes to Xuanda?"

"Yes, yes." Fan Yongdou and Wang Dengku rarely stood on the same front, and said with a wry smile: "Originally, our eight firms in Zhangjiakou are good businessmen who abide by the law, and they are not afraid of Zhang Haogu's inspection of smuggling. The key point is that Zhang Haogu's establishment of the grain and salt trade rules is really terrible. If he really made it happen in Xuanda, we good businessmen can't even earn money for porridge. So please, Mr. Feng, please help this Hurry up, don't let Zhang Haogu succeed. —Of course, after the matter is done, we will not forget Master Feng's great kindness."

"Then let me try. But Zhang Haogu is very favored by Nine Thousand Years, so I'm afraid it won't be that easy to help you guys." Feng Quan stood up contentedly, snorting coldly but secretly happy in his heart——Zhang Weixian This time, I gave myself Zhang Haogu's little mad dog handle for nothing, and Wei Zhongxian also hinted that Zhang Haogu didn't want Zhang Haogu to be the governor of Xuanda, so I used this news to sell a lot of money, but it was a fortune Pretty good deal.

"Master Feng, please stay. I have one more request." Fan Yongdou first kept Feng Quan, and after discussing in a low voice with the other seven locust merchants, Fan Yongdou held a gift box in front of Feng Quan with a smile on his face. , said in a low voice: "Master Feng, I heard that the governor of Liaodong won the battle in Haizhou, and he may be promoted. Our eight families have semicolons in Liaodong. We know that he is a good man who is honest, hardworking and loves the people like a son." Officer, if Mr. Feng can speak a few words of kindness for him in front of Jiu Qiansui and let him be transferred to Xuanda as the governor, we will be even more grateful."

"Governor of Liaodong also wants to be governor of Xuanda?" Feng Quan was stunned for a while, and then said with a smirk: "Governor Xuanda is full of vacancies. Can't you?"

"Master Feng, please rest assured." Fan Yongdou smiled even more treacherously, "Silver is definitely not a problem."

(End of this chapter)